A Wisp of Smoke

From: An Owl on the Moon – October…

     Ebony limbs reach and cry.  The woods are laced with an autumn mist hovering and singing over the earth.  I follow a cascade of deep black ferns into a clearing brook.  My reflection is a hated horror as I glimpse hollow eyes in an emaciated skull.  My dream, a wisp of smoke; my life, a dream.

     The brook is ice and still, appearing to cascade into a pool of crystal jade.  In the midst of life, I lay lifeless.

 

This unholy masquerade

when reality does fade,

the imprint of the God

on our mortal-stained facade.

Saints and spirits strip the earth

of the straining hope of birth.

“Kill the hope with grasping grave,”

cries the earthly mortal slave.

 

     Above this crystal pool are rows of lighted candles, flames flickering in the wind. Carved orange lanterns line the crags.

              

O, ignisfatuus,

foolish fire.

O, the lantern

in the mire.

Spirits quaking

with the light,

demon darkness,

far too bright.

Orange whispers,

yellow cries;

ever-haunting,

numb good-byes.

Good-bye, O childhood;

Farewell, my nickel joys.

                       

     I open my eyes...

 

Author's Note

From: An Owl on the Moon – October…

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness ..i'm scared :O{
creative mix of prose and poetry .. distinct change in "voice" in the poetry lends to the feel of covens and warlocks and witches and things .... a very serious All Hallowed Eve's poem says i!
E.
ps really like this line: "My dream, a wisp of smoke; my life, a dream." hard to draw the line sometimes eh!?

[An owl on the moon]

So very thankful to have you by. It was a difficult day, so your presence here brings me joy. And yes, even as a child I loved the dark haunted feel of Octobers. Some things never change. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

that's why we have ghost stories eh!? ;)

[Jade]

OH WOW!!!
That last stanza here, brought out some demons to a past.
This is so well written and well presented.
Deep write, yet prolific in nature.
Awesome

[m3lody mae]

Orange whispers,
yellow cries;
ever-haunting,
numb good-byes.
Good-bye, O childhood;
Farewell, my nickel joys.

I so love this part, I love the description if the "Orange whispers" paints a very vivid picture.
A very well written write.

[Crowley]

Perfectly matched to the season. A macabre, dreamlike trance that takes us to beyond just creepy but into the realm of self loathing and discovery. You killed it...lol. And I mean that!!!

[An owl on the moon]

Ah, my friend, it is always a joy to have you by, even in the darkness of the autumn season. Lighting a lantern for you. May it make the mists around you shine. :)

[emmajoy]

There's both gentle and dark, dark drama in this. You've suspended the 'in between' in centre of the after and before. taking its breath away. Finely worded but touches of both beauty and horror. The ending is .. what is is: perhaps a four worded mystery.

[An owl on the moon]

You understand these moments so well. Yes, there is so often a balance of beauty and horror that fills the world. Wishing only for more beauty to rise around you there across the sea.

[Kelly Scheppers]

The enormity of this outweighs any superlative I could give you, but I will say it is almost theatrical in its presence, and leaves me with great respect for the writer you are and have always been in the years I have known you!

[An owl on the moon]

Thank you so much, dear Kelly. Your words truly lift me. I so hope you are enjoying every breath of autumn. :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I most certainly am, indeed!